"Linthorn?" Florate called as he could not spot him anywhere. He just wanted to make sure they were successful and he really hoped they were because having Nex win was not something he was going to enjoy.
"Lyra? Steve?" he called again but no answer. He looked at Nex and saw that he too was searching for his so-called trusted teammates but at least he found them; they were lying on the floor like the other maimed ones. But where were his team?
He glanced at Rain and Lilith and found out through the look on their faces that they too had the same thoughts: where were they? Before he could talk to them about it, a door they didn't even know existed opened at the north wall of the room and Linthorn, Lyra, and Steve walked out of it.
"Guys!..." Linthorn called out in joy but was shut up by the next loud voice they heard, which was surely the grand sensei's, Sensei Velskud.
"Congratulations to you seven. I now pronounce you level two aspirants of Triven. You have all passed the test of courage and have also succeeded in boosting your stats with distinction. Tap on your bracelets to see how good you did in the test."
They all tapped their bracelets, curious about what their performance in the test might be. Although they were now leveled up, their performance counts a lot in their boost rate in the next level; plus everyone wants to know how well they performed.
Lyra was the first to see hers, and it was a lot better than the last time she checked it, and she was amazed at how well she did in the new bar that was added: courage.
LEVEL 1: Responsibility: 68%, exceptional self-defense skills 70%, attack skills 76%, emotional mastery 78%, respect 67%, honor 70%, discipline 54%, courage 76%.
And here was Steve's: LEVEL 1: Responsibility: 88%, exceptional self-defense skills 60%, attack skills 54%, emotional mastery 80%, respect 99%, honor 90%, discipline 78%, courage 78%.
Linthorn's: LEVEL 1: Responsibility: 100%, exceptional self-defense skills 98%, attack skills 99%, emotional mastery 80%, respect 99%, honor 89%, discipline 99%, courage 99%. Now that was a straight A, and he sure deserved it; it was because of him that the team remained together.
Nex's: LEVEL 1: Responsibility: 89%, exceptional self-defense skills 80%, attack skills 99%, emotional mastery 80%, respect 50%, honor 90%, discipline 99%, courage 99%. He only scoffed at his scores; his father would have just manipulated them and given him straight A's just like Linthorn. He got a very low C in respect. How on Omania was he supposed to respect his teammates when he was the leader? This will affect his boosting in this new level badly, but he still awaited the reward for the first team that got to the bridge and followed the light because he was certain it was his.
Florate's: LEVEL 1: Responsibility: 99%, exceptional self-defense skills 100%, attack skills 98%, emotional mastery 56%, respect 99%, honor 90%, discipline 99%, courage 99%. He only sighed at his C in emotional mastery. How was he supposed to have that when he almost went crazy when Nex abducted Rain? He would have to work on that after now.
Rain's: LEVEL 1: Responsibility: 99%, exceptional self-defense skills 100%, attack skills 100%, emotional mastery 50%, respect 99%, honor 100%, discipline 99%, courage 100%. 'Oh, of course,' she breathed. She only became too emotional when she thought Florate and Lilith were in danger—or should she say when she thought they left and forgot her. She bowed her head, disappointed at herself. She should not have let her emotions get the best of her, but she showed courage at the end; she attained 100%. Now that was something to be proud of,' she smiled to herself.
And finally, Lilith's: LEVEL 1: Responsibility: 100%, exceptional self-defense skills 100%, attack skills 100%, emotional mastery 78%, respect 99%, honor 99%, discipline 100%, courage 95%. A 'B' in emotional mastery—of course she got swept by her emotions when she thought Nex abducted Rain because of her. That was something he was going to pay for. But at least she made A's in the rest.
"Rain Flake," the voice of the sensei came again, this time directly to Rain.
"Yes, sensei," she bowed immediately.
"As the only one who attained a full score in your bar of courage, which is the main base of the test, you will receive a special reward. I now pronounce you most courageous level two aspirant. Your badge shall appear on top of your stats bar immediately after you have been inducted as level two aspirants by tomorrow night."
"Thank you so much, sensei. I promise to uphold the attitude," she said gratefully.
"But work very well on your emotions, Rain. Apart from that flaw, you had the best result so far."
"I will, sensei," she sighed deeply but was elated by the feeling of Florate's hand on hers. She looked at him and he gave her a wink which made her smile sweetly.
"Now the team who earned the reward as the first ones to fulfill the mission is team 5 led by Linthorn Emberlock, who shall receive the badge of best team leader by tomorrow."
Rain and the rest of the team jumped up in joy. "We made it!"
"Yes, you did," the sensei replied. "And your reward: you get half bars to fill in your stats—all your team members, I mean those of you who passed with distinction, you six. Your bars are already at 50%, which means half of your burden has been lifted and I trust you can handle the rest.
I really enjoyed seeing you all in action today and I must say I have strong and zealous aspirants among you. You may now leave and prepare for tomorrow. You have the rest of today and tomorrow off classes. See you at the grand hall."
At his last words, the door opened wide and their clinic nurses came in with lots of stretchers to carry the others that were injured to see what could be done for them so that those who didn't pass with distinction among them but at least showed their courage could join others tomorrow night…